Power policies control how a virtual machine behaves when the associated View desktop is not in use.

You set power policies when you create or edit a desktop pool. Power Policies describes the available power policies.

Power Policies

Power Policy

Description

Take no power action

View Manager does not enforce any power policy after a user logs off. This setting has two consequences.

■

View Manager does not change the power state of the virtual machine after a user logs off.

For example, if a user shuts down the virtual machine, the virtual machine remains powered off. If a user logs off without shutting down, the virtual machine remains powered on. When a user reconnects to the desktop, the virtual machine restarts
if it was powered off.

■

View Manager does not enforce any power state after an administrative task is completed.

For example, a user might log off without shutting down. The virtual machine remains powered on. When a scheduled recomposition takes place, the virtual machine is powered off. After the recomposition is completed, View Manager does nothing to change the power state of the virtual machine. It remains powered off.

Ensure desktops are always powered on

The virtual machine remains powered on, even when it is not in use. If a user shuts down the virtual machine, it immediately restarts. The virtual machine also restarts after an administrative task such as refresh, recompose, or rebalance is completed.

Select Ensure desktops are always powered on if you run batch processes or system management tools that must contact the virtual machines at scheduled times.

Suspend

The virtual machine enters a suspended state when a user logs off, but not when a user disconnects.

When multiple virtual machines are resumed from a suspended state, some virtual machines might have delays in powering on. Whether any delays occur depends on the ESXi host hardware and the number of virtual machines that are configured on an ESXi host. Users connecting to their desktops from View Client might temporarily see a desktop-not-available message. To access their desktops, users can connect again.

Power off

The virtual machine shuts down when a user logs off, but not when a user disconnects.

Note

When you add a desktop to a manual pool, View Manager powers on the desktop to ensure that it is fully configured, even when you select the Power off or Take no power action power policy. After View Agent is configured, it is marked as Ready, and the normal power-management settings for the pool apply.

For manual pools with desktops that are managed by vCenter Server, View Manager ensures that a spare desktop is powered on so that users can connect to it. The spare desktop is powered on no matter which power policy is in effect.

Power operations are initiated by session management. The virtual machine is powered on when a user requests the desktop and powered off or suspended when the user logs off.

Note

The Ensure desktops are always powered on policy always applies, whether the single-desktop pool uses floating or dedicated assignment, and whether the desktop is assigned or unassigned.

Automated pool with dedicated assignment

To unassigned desktops only.

On assigned desktops, power operations are initiated by session management. Virtual machines are powered on when a user requests an assigned desktop and are powered off or suspended when the user logs off.

Note

The Ensure desktops are always powered on policy applies to assigned and unassigned desktops.

Automated pool with floating assignment

When a desktop is not in use and after a user logs off.

When you configure the Power off or Suspend power policy for a floating-assignment desktop pool, set Automatic logoff after disconnect to Immediately to prevent discarded or orphaned sessions.

Manual pool with dedicated assignment

To unassigned desktops only.

On assigned desktops, power operations are initiated by session management. Virtual machines are powered on when a user requests an assigned desktop and are powered off or suspended when the user logs off.

Note

The Ensure desktops are always powered on policy applies to assigned and unassigned desktops.

Manual pool with floating assignment

When a desktop is not in use and after a user logs off.

When you configure the Power off or Suspend power policy for a floating-assignment desktop pool, set Automatic logoff after disconnect to Immediately to prevent discarded or orphaned sessions.